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UK's Ford Ranger Wildtrak piles on the features
Click image for photo gallery
The UK market saw a new Ford Ranger variant debut at the CV show in Birmingham this week. The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a paint/sticker/trim package that sees the addition of two new colors join the existing ranger palette -- Chili Orange and Passion Red -- which are combined with a Titanium Grey lower body cladding for the off-roady two-tone effect used extensively by a variety of manufacturers.
In addition to the new colors, the Wildtrack is butched up with details such as rear light protectors, a sport bar, bed rails, a rollaway Armadillo bed cover, and aluminum trim up front. Side vents that look similar to the ones featured on our US-market Super Duty trucks appear on the fenders, and the rearview mirrors receive turn indicators.
More after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
Gallery: Ford Ranger Wildtrak (UK)
Inside, Ford loads up the Wildtrak with leather/Alcantara seats, a sport steering wheel, dash-mounted off-road info center, ambient lighting, and Wildtrak-branded floormats and sill plates. Power comes from a 3.0L TDCi turbodiesel that delivers 150 horsepower and a healthy 280 lb-ft of torque. We have to say that we like the four-door, Mazda-sourced Euro/UK Ford Ranger more than the ancient one Ford still sells here, but when it comes to Ford of Europe, what else is new?
PRESS RELEASE:
NEW FORD RANGER WILDTRAK: EXTRA POWER AND STYLE FOR PICK-UP DRIVERS
- Exclusive chilli orange and passion red colours add zest to new Ranger Wildtrak
- New 156PS, 3.0-litre TDCi engine
- On sale August 2007. Prices available nearer the time.
This latest model has rear box rail extensions, a stylish, aerodynamic sports bar, lower sports cladding and tail lamp protectors to enhance its appearance. Side intake 'gills' add to the visual effect. New integrated door mirror indicators and puddle lamps provide additional differentiation and Wildtrak decals on the front, side and rear identify it as a special Ford Ranger.
Combined with these stylish features are new alloy wheels, a new sports front grille, side steps, an aluminium style front over rider and roof rails, an integrated bedliner and a rear protection bar with integrated park distance control.
The cabin features all-new heated seats in leather and perforated alcantara with orange tricot backing, floor mats with Wildtrak logo, new sports steering wheel, dash-mounted off-road 'information centre', premium interior and footwell lighting. New Wildtrak scuff plates complete the package.
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is available with an exclusive range of unique two-tone colours: Chilli Orange or Passion Red combined with Titanium Grey on the lower part of the body for a truly striking appearance. Other body colours that can be combined with Titanium Grey are Steel Silver, Andaman Blue, Storm Black and Strato Blue.
Under the bonnet is a new and powerful 3.0-litre TDCi engine with 156PS and 380Nm of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is tuned for fuel economy while maintaining good overtaking ability.
Steve Kimber, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain, said: "The latest Ford Ranger is selling faster than the previous model. The new Wildtrak will take us deeper into the fiercely competitive pick-up market with a truck that really makes a statement."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike 1:27PM (4/25/2007)
Tell me again WHY IS THIS NOT SOLD HERE!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!
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Civisi 1:39PM (4/25/2007)
Chevy and Dodge both offer a 4-door model of their small/mid-size pickup. Ford, tell me why I have to buy a Explorer Sport Trac to get a 4-door pickup truck. Oh, profit margins. That's right. You can't charge as much for the Ranger name as you can the Explorer name.
I needed/wanted a 4-door Ranger. I bought a Ford Escape instead and kept my 14-year-old 172,000-mile Ranger.
And that Ranger looks sharp! Now bring it to the US with the smaller PowerStroke diesel...
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The Penguin 1:50PM (4/25/2007)
They need to bring this here, the Ford Ranger is the only truck in its class that doesn't offer a four door model
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The Penguin 1:50PM (4/25/2007)
They need to bring this here, the Ford Ranger is the only truck in its class that doesn't offer a four door model.
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Guenther 1:54PM (4/25/2007)
&:^3 Chicken tax, my friend. I saw one of these down in Mexico recently being benchmarked against the other makes offerings. I liked it.
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Bryan 2:04PM (4/25/2007)
I am a Ford guy and that truck is ugly. I do agree Ford needs to replace the Ranger though. It should be very easy you already have the current Explorer platform just reconfigure for reg cab and supercab models. The sport trac is a 4 door ranger in a sense (previous one was). If they made a new ranger on this new platform then it would essentially be the 4 door. Its so simple. This would be a cheap way to make some more money. Please Ford do something I am tired of seeing those hideous Tacomas around with their darth vader looking face. Reclaim the Rangers glory now! and build a mini Bronco again while you are at it. And a 2 door expedition bronco as well with half rear doors. Now that would sell and I would buy NOW!
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Kendall Tawes 2:05PM (4/25/2007)
Honestly Ford, What the hell? You are an "American" company yet you sell your only good stuff abroad. Seriously the current American Ranger has been on the road since Grunge Rock, and the Clinton inauguration. Start bring your good stuff here and stop feeding us the table scraps. I want a proper small truck and a small hatch here in America. I have a friend that wants the C-max and another that wants a Mondeo and not a Mondeo with a crappie rear end like you tried to pull in the 90's but the actual model lights and all. If Saturn can be Vauxhall/Opel of America then certainly Mercury could be Ford Europe of America or something. It makes so much sense but no you have to force feed us a 14-year old truck a 1st gen Focus and the Explorer which has always been crap from the beginning.
Bring U.S. something good Ford and maybe I might purchase my first Ford since 1993.
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cxvargas 2:16PM (4/25/2007)
I used to drive one of these Thai built Rangers in Irak and is far superior than the American spec version in all aspects. This Ranger is a high quality tough little truck and is close to Toyota and Nissan in refinement but not quite there yet. I guess the truck did the job since both of us survived our time in Irak.
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Mike 2:23PM (4/25/2007)
cxvargas
God bless you and your family for your service.
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Guenther 2:33PM (4/25/2007)
Bryan- funny you should say that- GM showed a K5 concept a few years back: it was a short wheel base GMT800 with a removable top and rear opening access doors. Looked sweet.
KT- Ford has tried that- remember the Mercurs? The current Ranger is actually an updated version of a platform which debuted back in 1983. The only other platform that old is the Econoline.
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J 2:50PM (4/25/2007)
Not having this in the US = INJUSTICE. there is no reason why we should still be driving what are basically 1993 ford rangers when the world gets what we see above.
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qwityerbitchin 3:02PM (4/25/2007)
People, people....PEOPLE!!!!
There is already a much better choice here called the Sport Trac. Nicer interior, 4 wheel independent suspension, composite bed, V8 and 6 speed. What more do you want???
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bhtooefr 3:23PM (4/25/2007)
FWIW, this truck is NOT the same truck as our Ranger. It's the same truck as the rest-of-world Mazda trucks, which really ARE Mazdas.
However, the South American Ranger, which is available in a 4-door, and is available with a diesel as well... is. :(
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Mike 3:35PM (4/25/2007)
qwityerbitchin: Who the hell wants IRS in a compact pickup?
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Hamud 3:52PM (4/25/2007)
We have the 4-door PowerStroke powered Ranger here in Brazil, it's amazing, but costs a lot.
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Bryan 5:17PM (4/25/2007)
Shh Hamud, you will really get these people going if you mention small truck and Diesel.
Guenther--I can not figure out why a full size Bronco has yet to come back. A shortened Expedition would have my name all over it. I always wanted a Big Bronco, and maybe one day I will have one. But with gas prices higher, you would figure that would be an easy way to gain more sales. There are people out there that need the full size width of an Expedition but not the length. Hello FORD, I am one of your biggest fans and customers. LISTEN to me!!!
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Greek Boy 9:43PM (4/25/2007)
Hey Mike,
everyone who has driven a truck with IRS wants it. Are you kidding me??? Or are you under the impression that because some feel that solid axles are better offroad, that somehow that translates to smooth pavement, where 99% of the driving is done in these vehicles.
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jbowers62 11:24AM (4/28/2007)
If Ford offered a Four-Door, Power Stroke Ranger...I would be first in line to trade my 04 Ranger...
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Michael 4:49AM (4/27/2007)
The exterior styling is rather blah, with a little plastic and chrome tacked on. I've been waiting for a new American Ranger for a long time. I hope when it finally gets here, that styling will be improved (maybe styled similar to the current F150), and the suspension will be improved. Sounds like we may have to wait till 2009.
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steve 4:56AM (5/05/2007)
hi all! i sell the Rangers at a dealership in the uk, and the current 4 door "thunder" is fantastic! cant wait for the 3.0 litre to come. the current 2.5 really is smooth, AND gets 400 miles to the tank, which is useful over here with diesel at £4.50 (GBP) to the gallon!
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